Target CEO offering compensation to customers

(Ferre Dollar/CNN)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Target is doing everything it can to appease the millions of people affected by its massive data breach. 

The retail giant is feeling the effects of the data theft weeks after Black Friday.

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Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel is offering customers a 10% discount for those shopping at stores on Dec. 21 and 22 as compensation for Target's recent breach in credit card data.

In a statement released Friday, Steinhafel said guests' trust is the company's top priority, and Target is committed to making the situation right.

"It's a time like this that really defines companies, and we're a company that cares and we're really committed to delivering a trustworthy and confident experience at Target," said Steinhafel.

Today the retail store said fortunately, customer's PINs were not obtained from their debit cards. But Channel 4's Crime and Safety Analyst Ken Jefferson said that doesn't mean much if crooks still have your card number, expiration date and security code. 

"That doesn't put people at ease whose credit cards are compromised because you can use that card as a credit card, without the PIN number," said Jefferson. "It's still a national tragedy that it's happened."

Steinhafel said Target is taking the crime seriously and realizes what guests are experiencing is unacceptable.

"We're working around the clock to make sure that we can deliver a great experience on our website and in our call centers," Steinhafel said. "We're doing everything we can to shorten that call time, the wait time, so they can get right to us."

Some customers are, however, dealing with an extensive wait time when trying to contact Target's customer service department. Despite these headaches, Jefferson said this incident is a wake-up call for anyone who frequently uses a debit or credit card.

"It implores you to check your credit vigilantly at least twice a year - you can do it for free," said Jefferson. "Look at all bank account transactions. Make sure you are the cardholder that did the transaction."